NBA: A collection of super busts

In the following days, the four of them visited Wade and his girlfriend's house to say hello, and then toured some of the most famous places in Chicago before heading back to Milwaukee.

The day after returning to Milwaukee, Coach Crane called Ye Feng into his office.

And, quite unusually, Klein was waiting for Ye Feng at the office door.

"What's wrong, Coach? Is that Stern inside?" Ye Feng couldn't help but joke.

"In the short term, he can help you more than Stern," Crain said. "He's a friend of mine, and he also aspires to be an NBA player agent."

"Yearning to become?" Ye Feng quickly grasped the key point.

"He aspires to be," Klein said. "So normally I wouldn't recommend you meet someone like that, but unfortunately, I owe him a favor, so I have to give him a chance."

"But you don't need to consider my feelings at all, and you don't need to feel embarrassed. If you think he's not good enough, just reject him. If you want to find a big-name agent, just reject him. If you think he can't help you, just reject him."

"You seem to really want me to refuse him?" Ye Feng looked at the cautious Coach Klein with some curiosity: "Is he really your friend?"

"Yes, but you are also my most promising disciple, and I can't ruin you," Klein said. "To be honest, I don't know what methods he has, nor do I know his skill level. More importantly, a newcomer of your caliber will definitely have countless big-name agents wanting to work for you."

"Choosing them is a safer option."

"There are indeed many, and they have already contacted me," Ye Feng said. "But I haven't decided who to choose yet, and I haven't met with any of them."

"Since he's here, let's start with him."

Without further hesitation, Ye Feng pushed open the door to Klein's office.

Sitting in the room was a man who was clearly well-educated, probably in his forties. His hair was neatly combed, and he had a polite smile on his face. However, if you looked closely at his fairly decent and neatly ironed suit, you could easily tell that the suit was old. The cuffs were a bit frayed, and the collar was obviously faded.

Life wasn't easy, but I also knew how to properly meet with clients.

Ye Feng quickly formed a good first impression of this person.

At the same time, Ye Feng felt that this guy looked familiar, but he just couldn't remember who he was.

When the middle-aged man saw Ye Feng enter, he immediately stood up, extended his hand, and walked over: "I've heard so much about you, Ye. I'm very happy that you gave me the opportunity to meet you. I'm very touched."

After the two shook hands, Richie looked at Crane and said, "Could I talk to Ye Dan for a bit?"

"No way!" Crane refused decisively. "I need to make sure you're not talking nonsense, not making empty promises or drawing up unrealistic scenarios. I need to make sure everything you've said is the truth."

"I introduced you, so I have to take responsibility. Ye, let me reiterate: I don't know his skill level, but I had to arrange for you to meet him out of courtesy."

"That exposes my past." The middle-aged man shook his head helplessly, then said, "Well then, let me introduce myself. My name is Doug Reed. I was on his team in high school. Later, he was caught peeping at a female teacher changing clothes and almost got expelled."

"I took the blame for him, which saved his coaching career. That's the favor he owes me."

"Go to hell, you mad dog!" Krein roared. "Stop spreading rumors and nonsense!"

Then he looked at Ye Feng and said, "Mad Dog was his nickname in high school."

"Anyway," Reed said, completely ignoring Crane. Having gotten his revenge, he shrugged and said, "I love basketball. I studied management at the University of Michigan and have been working in basketball-related fields ever since. I've been a scout and video analyst, and in recent years, I've been working for an agency."

"From 93 to 97, I worked as an assistant at David Falk's company for four years, and all I did was serve tea and water and print documents."

"From 97 to 00, I went to Feigen's company because of my previous job as an assistant, but they quickly found that I didn't know anything, so I continued to serve tea and water and print documents."

"From 2000 to 2003, I went to SFX Sports Agency, which is Arne Tellem's company. There, I was promoted and had the opportunity to contact some star players and partners. For example, I had a very good relationship with Kobe Bryant. For the past year, I have basically been his personal special assistant."

"However, overall, my job still involves serving tea and water and printing documents."

"So," Ye Feng said, "you haven't done anything for the past ten years except serve tea and water and print documents?"

"Hahahaha," Reed laughed loudly, "Pretty much."

"Then why did you dare to apply to be my agent?" Ye Feng said, "I can't think of any reason to entrust my draft to you. There are many big-name agents eager to meet with me."

"Bill Duffy, Danny Fagan, Arne Tellem, and even David Falk, they all contacted me."

"Good question!" Reed said. "Firstly, of course, it's because I'm thick-skinned enough to ask for an interview. Secondly, it's because I need this opportunity to prove myself. I aspire to be a real agent, not someone who serves tea and water or prints documents."

"Of course, that's my perspective. From your point of view, although you are a super rookie with unlimited potential, there are many promising rookies this year, and everyone's primary target is still Anthony, James, or even Chris Bosh."

"They can't give you their best resources, nor can they serve you wholeheartedly. But I, at least this year, will only serve you."

"Furthermore, I have some inside information: I've reached a verbal agreement with Kobe that once his contract with Tellum expires, he'll sign with me, and I'll become his agent! Then, the two of you can work together seamlessly!"

"The best power forward and the best shooting guard, maybe you two could play together? Also, if you're interested, I can arrange for you to meet Kobe and have a chat."

"Secondly, I haven't done any real frontline work in the past 10 years, but I understand all the processes. I know how they negotiate and how they transact. I was always on the front lines serving tea and water during every negotiation. Although I haven't actually spoken with them, I have everyone's contact information."

"In addition, over the past decade I have witnessed many ordinary people grow from assistants, temporary workers, interns, and grassroots employees to industry leaders, influential leaders, or well-known figures."

"My friendship with them started from humble beginnings. I know at least 30 people like that, and we have a very good relationship. We can help each other when necessary."

====================================================================== ===============================

I apologize, but what follows is my personal opinion, which is a bit heavy and not good. You can skip it.

====================================================================== ===============================

P.S.: Regarding the agent, I originally intended for a more well-known and capable person, rather than an original character, to be the agent. This would have been more reasonable and convincing. I believe many readers can guess who the original person was based on his past and personality.

Unfortunately, a few days ago I received news that a good friend of mine, whom I had known for 12 years, had passed away due to a heart attack.

When I first heard the news, I wasn't sad at all. I just thought it was a cruel joke, and I even thought that he might jump out in two hours and say: "I've written down all the people who slandered me while I was dead."

But these past few days, whenever we talk about him, we realize that grief is slowly creeping in. When we talk about all the little things we did together, all the times we teased, joked, and made fun of each other, we realize that he is really gone.

The most painful thing is that whenever I want to tag him or tease him about something fun, I suddenly realize that he is no longer here, and the people I tag will never jump out and yell at me, "Are you crazy?"

Perhaps I am not old enough to have experienced true death. This is the first time since I became aware of things that someone so close to me has left.

I suddenly understood what Jordan meant when he said: "A part of my soul was taken away from me."

We played 2K together, King of Glory, World of Warcraft, Warcraft, and that sneaky, hack-and-slash manager simulation game we made ourselves. We both loved Slam Dunk and the NBA, and we had players we both hated.

Aside from a few words of greeting and a wreath, I don't know what else I can do for him, after all, his family is in Shanghai and I am in Zhengzhou, thousands of miles away.

But I remembered him jokingly saying: "I hope to appear in my book, punching Durant and kicking James, wearing a urinal on his head and smoking a cigar."

So I thought, let him live forever in the cyber world.

His nickname is Red Dog, so let's call him that.

Finally: I hope everyone takes care of their health, doesn't stay up late, and doesn't work too hard. My friend was only 38 years old, in the prime of his life, but he suffered a heart attack because of his irregular lifestyle, working too hard, and being addicted to games.

I also hope that everyone and those around you will not ignore the cues your body gives you, and if you feel unwell, get checked out in time. Never avoid seeking medical attention.

My friend went to the ICU six months ago for a heart attack. He survived that near-death experience, but his lifestyle remains chaotic, and he continues to work himself to the bone.

But this time, luck wasn't on his side.

Yes, it is like that.